Tyson Fury a bigger draw than Anthony Joshua – Frank Warren

04/01/2019

Warren believes Anthony Joshua (right) does not want to face Tyson FuryTyson Fury is now a bigger draw than fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua, says promoter Frank Warren.Unbeaten Fury, 30, could face WBC champion Deontay Wilder in a rematch within the next three months after their controversial draw in December.And Warren believes his fighter -…

He believes Fury is in the process of rebuilding his public image as others have done in the past.

“You know Muhammad Ali was voted Sports Personality of the Century years ago – the most loved sportsman of my lifetime,” he said.

“He’s the guy, when I was a kid – and I remember him – my late dad and many of his generation hated him when he said things like the white man’s the devil, blacks shouldn’t marry whites.

“He was forgiven for that. He came back and he became a humanitarian, talked about the love of the people and united people.

“It’s what you learn, it’s what you are today that counts. Where Tyson is today, he’s found himself.”

“He has changed his life around. I don’t want him to slip down. I don’t want him to be a drunk. Deep down he’s a good person.”

Quickfire Q&A – Warren on Fury v Joshua

Q: Where and when would you see a potential Fury-Joshua fight taking place?

A: In the UK. You could go to Cardiff, they have a roof on the stadium. That should be summer, outdoors at a football stadium and would sell it out 10 times over.

Q: You’ve said it would be the biggest sporting event in this country since England’s 1966 World Cup triumph…

A: It would grip the country – one of those events that transcends the back pages. Everybody would be talking about it.

Q: If you can sell it 10 times over, won’t some fight fans be priced out of tickets?

A: It will be a pay-per-view event because the fighters will want to maximise their income, you can understand that. It’s very easy this fight. When I say 50/50, let Sky and BT Sport Box Office both have it. Take all the obstacles away like they do in the States. The fans want the fight. If both TV channels are showing it, that means the boxers’ incomes are going to be more. It’s a no-brainer.

Q: The negotiations are going to be difficult, aren’t they? You and the Hearns have a bit of history…

A: Anthony Joshua is a business. He makes money. It doesn’t matter who he fights, they can fill up Wembley. They have a seven-year business plan, which is filling up Wembley twice a year and it’s a cash cow. I get that – Barry is an accountant by trade. That’s not what the fans want.